UPPER EAST SIDE — As you're giving thanks this week, give back to those in need.
A number of Upper East Side churches and organizations need your help reaching out to the hungry and homeless this year while preparations for Thanksgiving are underway.
Soup kitchens have filled up their volunteer spots for the most part, but there are a few last-minute and after-Thanksgiving opportunities you can participate in, including food drives, serving meals and dinner deliveries.
► The Church of the Holy Trinity Thanksgiving Program
316 E. 88th St., between First and Second avenues
Every year, the Church of the Holy Trinity and St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church hold a get-together to cook more than 350 meals for elderly and homebound Yorkville residents. The volunteers package and deliver the meals on Thanksgiving morning. Either donate $25 to provide a meal for four people, or help clean, cook, pack each day leading up to Thanksgiving or help deliver meals. Email chtforthanksgiving@gmail.com to participate.
God's Love We Deliver is hosting its 23rd Annual "Race to Deliver" in Central Park on Sunday, Nov. 20 with the goal of raising $475,000 to fund 475,000 meals for people who are too sick to cook or shop for themselves. While the race is already sold out, you can donate to support the local race here.
► Unitarian Church of All Souls
1157 Lexington Ave. near East 80th Street
Leading up to Thanksgiving, All Souls is taking food donations for those in need, including canned cranberry sauce, rice, gravy, cornbread and stuffing mixes, and more. Bring your donations to the church's front office.
► Jan Hus Presbyterian Church & Neighborhood House Urban Outreach Center
351 E. 74th St., between First and Second avenues
Jan Hus Presbyterian Church is holding a Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless and hungry at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 22. Register online to volunteer.
524 Park Ave. near East 60th Street
Although Thanksgiving will be over, Christ Church is hosting its weekly Sharing Table event on Sunday, Nov. 27, where it will serve roughly 120 hot meals to the hungry. Volunteers are needed to cook, serve, and greet diners. Email askinsmarsha@gmail.com to participate.
► St. Ignatius Loyola Food Drive
980 Park Ave. at 84th Street
St. Ignatius Loyola is starting its Advent Food Drive and will collect pasta and tomato sauce from Nov. 27 through Dec. 3; canned fruits and veggies Dec. 4 though the Dec. 10; rice, beans and cereal the 11th through the 17th, and tuna fish, soups, canned meals, stews, etc. from the 18th to the 19th.
Looking for citywide opportunities?
Here’s Where You Can do Some Good This Thanksgiving by Volunteering
